When Is the Best Time to Book a Cruise?

Knowing when to book your cruise is important, as it can make a huge difference in the price you pay and the accommodation and activities you can select. Deciding the perfect moment to book depends on a range of factors, such as whether you’re travelling with family, looking to snatch up a bargain, or planning a luxury cruise with all the perks included.

At Bolsover Cruise Club, we want your booking process to be as smooth as possible. In this guide, we’ll cover what you need to know about booking early, booking late, and how to decide the best time to book your cruise.

The Perks of Booking Your Cruise Early

Booking As a Family

Looking to make the most of the school summer period? Booking early is the best way to ensure your family gets a cruise they won’t forget. Due to the demand during these periods, families that don’t book early run the risk of losing out, especially when booking for summer hotspots like the Mediterranean.

Additionally, families require more space than couples or solo travellers. For this reason, it’s best to book early to ensure that 3- or 4-berth cabins are still available to accommodate parents and children.

Accommodation Requirements and Preferences

Modern cruise fleets are equipped to accommodate guests with mobility requirements, but cabins with ramps, rails, and other inclusive features are limited in number and can sell out if not booked early. Cruise lines are striving to increase the availability of these rooms, but demand remains high, and those who require specific accommodation should book as early as they can.

The same applies to guests with their eye on a specific room type. Ocean views, balconies, interconnected rooms – all these cabins are likely to sell out, so booking early is the best way to prevent disappointment. Cruise lines are always looking to improve their accommodation offerings – such as P&O Cruises, which has some connecting balcony cabins – but those looking to secure their dream room are advised to act fast.

Limited Time to Get Away

Do you have a few short weeks in the year to get away? Or do you work in a role that requires you to holiday at certain times of year? Those with limited availability to get away on a cruise are advised to book early to ensure that the weeks they want to cruise have space available.

Cruising With a Certain Ship In Mind

Experienced cruisers with their eye on the industry might be aware of new ships joining the fleets of the leading cruise lines. Setting sail on these new ships during their inaugural season can be really exciting, but it’s common for these periods to be in high demand.

If you’ve got your eye on a specific cruise ship’s debut, booking early gives you the best chance of securing a spot on its first voyage and the brand-new itinerary it will be offering to its first guests.

Securing an Expedition Cruise

Expedition cruises offer something a bit different for guests looking for a shot of adrenaline in their holiday. Whether it’s encountering wildlife in Alaska or navigating the exotic archipelago of the Galapagos, these cruises provide exclusive experiences to the world’s most out-there destinations, and this means they sell out fast!

Additionally, these voyages will be smaller in scale, accommodating fewer guests than seasonal favourites to the Caribbean, for example. For those with that craving for adventure, the best time to book their cruise is as soon as possible.

Eat When You Want, How You Want

Dining is a huge part of the cruising experience, as each cruise line will offer its own unique blend of cuisines and dining spaces to provide guests with a unique experience. Some cruise lines may offer guests the freedom to eat and drink whenever they like, taking a casual approach to dining that dismisses dining schedules and set seating in favour of a come-and-go experience. Others, however, may stay true to these cruising traditions and lean into the glamour and luxury service that comes with this style of dining. 

Guests with a preference regarding these options need to book early to ensure they secure the cruising experience they want.

Everyone Loves a Freebie

The early bird catches the worm, and booking a cruise early often gives you the best chance of snagging a bargain. Many cruise lines offer lower prices and tempting incentives to those who book early. These can include free parking, shuttle bus services, spending money, or maybe free upgrades to dining or accommodation. The catch is, these offers don’t last long!

Booking Late For a Bargain

Booking your cruise early comes with a host of advantages, but what about the other side of the coin? The booking process is one of opposites, and booking late can, in fact, come with its own host of perks.

The number one incentive to book your cruise late is that last-minute deals can save you money on your holiday. Cruise lines that haven’t reached maximum capacity for their ships often offer lower rates to incentivise guests to book with them. 

Booking your cruise late can result in incredible deals on journeys all over the world, but guests looking to try this approach must have flexibility. Guests should only leave their cruise booking to the last minute if they are:

• Flexible with Dates: Booking a cruise late will reduce the dates available to guests, most likely resulting in an off-season holiday.
• Comfortable with Any Accommodation: The most spacious and comfortable accommodation is likely to sell out quickly.
• Not Looking for a Specific Ship: Last-minute deals place guests on any ship with availability, so guests need to be comfortable boarding whichever ship they are placed on.

Top Tip: Know When to Stop!

Successfully booking your cruise is something to be celebrated, but there’s nothing more frustrating than confirming your place only to see another offer that’s cheaper or heading to a better destination. Our best advice? Once you’ve booked your cruise, stop looking and start getting ready for the fun you’re going to have. Don’t let comparison take away your joy. 

Discover Your Perfect Cruise Getaway with Bolsover Cruise Club

Get ready to book your next cruise getaway with all of the major cruise lines available here at Bolsover Cruise Club. If you need help booking a cruise, please don’t hesitate to contact us. A member of our team will be happy to assist you.